Gang-plow.



W. N. SPRINGER.

GANG PLOW.

APPUCATIQN FILED 11151:.2. 1913. 11ENEWED1U11E16,1916.

Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

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IINITED STATES PATENT @FFIQE WILLIAM N. SPRINGER, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO AVERY COMPANY, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

GANG-PLOW.

Original application filed March 8, 1906, Serial No. 304,855.

Specification of Letters Patent.

2, 1913, Serial No. 804,213. Renewed .TuneA 16, 1916. Serial No. 104,099.

T 0 all whom t may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM N. SPRINGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gang- Plows, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This application constitutes a division of my cc-pending application for gang plows, Serial Number 304,855, filed March' 8, 1906.

The invention relates to gang plows of the type in which there is a main draft frame and a series of'individual plows orvplowing units flexibly connected to the rear of the frame in a diagonally arranged row. In plows of this character it is essential that the several plowing units be free to rise and fall independently of each other in order to follow the uneven surface of the'ground; and it it also essential that the plows be normally maintained at uniform transverse distances from each other in order that the furrows may be of uniform widths.

l Earlier gang plows can be divided into two classes, in accordance with the devices which were employed for connecting the individual plowing units with the main frame. In plows of one class the separate plowing units were connected to the main frame in such a way that they could swing laterally about vertical axes. This construction had numerous advantages, as each plow was permitted to follow its own natura-l course and could not be moved bodily sidewise by the frame when the frame swung latererally in turning at the ends of the field or in making the minor deviations to the right or left incident to following the previous fui-rows. But this iiexible connection of the plowing units to the main frame independently of each other had the serious disadvantage that the plowing units were not held at uniform transverse distances. A slight variation in the position on the beam or in the form of some of the plow bottoms, whether resulting from initial inaccuracy of construction or from `wear, caused the said bodies to deviate to the right or left from their true predetermined courses with the result that some of the furrows were narrow and others wide. This difficulty was soon recognized by inventors, and

in plows of the second class, attempts were made to overcome it by making the connection between the plowing units and the main frame rigid transversely so as toy prevent any lateral movement of the plowbottoms with respect to the frame. The plows were free to rise and Yfall about a horizontal axis but were held against lateral movement. This construction was foundl also tb have serious disadvantages. One of these was that the rigid connection between the plow bottoms and the frame tended to cause the bottoms'tol move bodily laterally when the frame was swung in turning or in making deviations from a straight path. This tendency subjected the various parts, especially the beam, to very severe strains which, in extreme cases, would cause breakage. A further disadvantage of this construction was that because of the necessary inaccuracies in the initial construction of the Lframe and of the couplings and of the beams, accurate transverse yspacing of the plows was impossible. A very slight inaccuracy at the point of beam attachment caused the rear end of the beam and thebottom to be moved laterally a considerable distance away from the true predetermined position. And the result was that some of the furrows were narrow and others of them wide. Furthermore, the rigid connection between the frame and the plowing units made it impossible for the units to be deflected laterally when an unusual obstruction, such as a boulder, was met with.

One of the principal objects of thisinvention is to provide a plow having the advantages of plows of both of the above classes without their disadvantages.` A plow embodying my invention retains the later-v ally iexible or adjustable connection between the main frame and the plowing units and also provides means whereby the plows can be held at uniform transverse distances from each other notwithstanding this flexible connection. f

In the preferred form of the invention the plowing units are provided with transversely extended spacing devices which act to normally hold the plows at fixed distances apart. It will be understood, however, that'so far as certain phases ofthe inventionare concerned, there can be modiication as concerns the construction and location of the devices which are used to atvention I have provided means whereby the plows can be adjusted angularly or winged tobring them into the desired position.

aware that it hasbeen heretofore proposed to provide lmeans whereby the plows can be angularly adjusted or winged; and I am further aware that it has been heretofore proposed to provide, in combination with relatively laterally plowing units, means associated with the frame for holdingthem at fixed distances apart. But so far as I am aware, I am the first to provide a plow in which both of these adjustments can be effected independently of each other. According to my invention, the plowman can angularly adjust or wing the several plows as he desires, each independently of the others, without in any way aecting the transverse spacing; and at the same timethe plows are maintained (in this case automatically) at uniform transverse distances from each other without in any way affecting the winging adjustments. According to my invention, th-e individual plows can be winged and locked in winged position; they can be moved or adjusted laterally with respect to the frame; and they are normally held against such lateral movement at fixed distances apart transversely.

Another object of my invention is to provide in combination with the two last aforesaid adjusting mcans, separate ground en gaging supports for carrying the front ends of the beams of the plowing units in fixed relation to the ground. Preferably these supports are adjustable vertically.

A further object is to provide in a gang plow certain improvements in the coupling devices between the draft frame and the 1f individual plowing units.

AStill further objects will be apparent from the following speciiicationand claims.

,In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification I have shown one embodiment of the invention, but I desire it to be understood that numerous changes 'and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a plan view showing the rear part Ofa gang plow draft frame and several plowing units secured thereto. Fig.'2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing in detail the coupling devices interposed between the main frame and one of the individual pl'ows; `Figs.4 and 5 show in detail one of the elements of the coupling devices. Figs'. 6, 7 and Sare detail views of the plates by means Vof which one of the individual plows is connected tothe main frame. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 9 9 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawingsA represents as an entirety the main draft frame of the plow which can be supported from the ground in any desired way and which is preferably adapted to be connected with a suitable tractor to be hauled. The frame A is preferably provided at its rear with an obliquely disposed gang plow beam 1 which in the form shown is made up of two angle bars 2, 2 at the bottom, two other angle bars 3, 3 at the top and suitable connecting members a between them.

5 and 6 are horizontally disposed plates rigidly secured to the angle bars 2, 2 and to each other by means of bolts 7 7 Vand 8, 8.

Between the two plates 5 and 6 there extends a' third plate 9 and bolts 10, 10 serve to normally secure all three plates together. As is clearly shown in Fig. 3 the forward bolt 10 extends through a forward extending i slot in the plate 9 and the rear vbolts 10 extend through rearward extending slots in the plates 5 and 6. It will be seen that when the nuts are tightened on the bolts 10 the plate 9 will be frictionally held between the 1 plates 5 and 6, butcan be withdrawn when sufficient force is applied. In order to assist in holding the plate 9 in place I provide the three plates with apertures which normally register and through which there ex- 'i tends a wooden break pin 1l.

Each of the individual plowing units comprises a beam 12 and a plow bottom or body 13 which as shown is rigidly secured to the beam. Between the front end of each beam and the before described plate 9 there is a coupling device which will be described in detail below. It is here suiiicient to say that the coupling device permits the rear part of the plowing unit to freely rise and fall.

For lifting the rear parts of the plowing units to remove the plow bottoms from the ground any form of mechanism known to the plowing engineer can be used. I have shown, however, a transverse bar 14 which extends above the plowing units and is con` nected to them by means of loose chains 15. Mounted on the frame is a mechanism for lifting the bar la as a whole and this mechanism as shown comprises a cylinder 16 in which a piston 17 can be caused to move by means of steam led in through the pipe 18. The piston 17 is vconnected with the bar 14 by means of the rod 19 and chain 20. It will be seen that when steam is admitted to the cylinder the piston will be forced forward and downward with the result that the bar 14 and the several plowing` units will be raised. 1When the bar is in its lowermost position the plowing units can rise and fall independently of it within certain limits.

21 is a yoke rigidly secured to the front end of the plow beam 12. It is pifetally connected to a yoke or U-shaped bar 22 by a horizontally disposed transverse pivot 23, which pivot may be inserted through the various alined holes 24 arranged in a ver tical series along the arms of the yoke 21, in order to vary the relation of the connection between the said yoke and the said U- shaped bar 22.

25 is a plate or disk rigidly secured to the said bar 22 between its rearward extending arms. The rear face of this plate is provided with a series of radially arranged teeth.

2G is a disk or plate provided with a corresponding series of radially arranged teeth adapted to register with the teeth of the plate 25. rlhis plate 26 at diametrically opposite points is provided with curvilinear passageways 27 through which bolts 28 extend which are adapted to bind the `plates 25 and 26 together, these curvilinear pasf sageways serving to permit the adjustment of the plate 26 relative to the plate 25.

29 is a vertically arranged U-shaped plate rigidly secured to the disk or plate 26 and having its horizontal arms extending forward.

30 is a universal joint-member or element having a vertically arranged portion 31 and a horizontally` arranged portion 32.

33 is a pivot pin or bolt pivotally connecting the vertical part 31 of the said member between the arms of the U-shaped bar 29.

The before described plate 9 carries arms or projections 34, 34 which extend rearward beyond the edge of the plate and are adapted to receive between them the horizontal element 32 of the universal oint member 30.

35 is a coupling pin connecting the said part 32 with the said projections, 34, 34.

Secured to the forward end of each of the beams 12 is a vertically adjustable ground engaging wheel 36 which when in working position serves to hold the front end of the beam in fixed relationshipv to the ground. T he connection between the main frame and the beam is such as to permit relative freedom of movement, and the line of draft on the plowing'v unit will therefore be determined chietly by the position of the ground wheel 36. The wheel 36 is connected to a vertically adjustable rod 37 which at its upper end is pivoted to the adjustable hand lever 38. Secured to the hand lever 38 is a detent 39 adapted to engage one of the notches in the quadrant 40. It' will be seen that `by means of this hand lever 38 the wheel can be yadjusted vertically with respect to the frame, and that by means of the detent and quadrant the wheel can be locked in adjusted position.

Each plowing unit is also preferably provided with a rollingcolter 41 which is secured to the beam in any usual or preferred way.

Secured to each plowing unit is a spacing frame 42 which extends later/.ily to engage the neXt adjacent plowing unit. As shown, each spacing frame 42 is generally U-shaped, one leg being secured to the forward part of the beam and the other leg being secured to the rear part.

From the foregoing description the operation of my improved gang plow will be readily understood. As the draft frame is moved forward by the tractor the several plowing units trail behind it with their front ends carried in fixed relation to the ground on the 'several ground wheels 36. The plows can therefore follow small irregularities in the ground with the result that the plowing is always of a uniform depth. r1`he spacing between the plows is not determined by any permanently fixed connection to the main frame, and adjustment to effect uniform spacing can be effected, it being in the construction shown effected automatically.

l/Vhen the operator desires to change the depth of plowing it is only necessary for him to change the position of the several ground wheels 3G with respect to the corresponding beams. However, in case a very wide adjustment is to be made it will be sometimes found desirable to move each pivot pin 23 from one to another of the holes 24 in the yoke 21. In this way the line of tension through the coupling member can be kept substantially horizontal.

The two notched orl toothed plates'25 and 26 serve to hold the corresponding plowing unit in a fixed position with respect to a longitudinal vertical plane. rllhis fixed position can however be changed at the option of the operator by loosening the bolts 28, 28 and turning the plate 25 with respect to the plate 26. In this way the operator can eifect winging of the plows to bring them initially into the desired angular position or to afterward change the angular positions to compensate for wear, or to meet new conditions.

The connection between the plate 9 and the plates 5 and 6 is such asto constitute a safety release device by means of which the transmission with the plows of too great a draft is prevented. In case one of the plows meets an obstruction, the resulting pull on the plate 9 will be such as to shear the wooden pin 11 and to release the plate from its engagement with the bolts l0, 10.

The entire plowing unit will then be free except for the connection by means of the chain 15.

What I claim is:

1. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally with respect to the frame and for movement vertically in fixed relationship to a. transverse axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, and spacing devices carried solely by the plowing units independently of the frame for normally holding the units at fixed transverse distances from each other, the said plowing units as they move vertically serving to hold the spacing devices against transverse angular movement tending to decrease their effective widths.

2. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units, a series of universal couplings between the draft frame and the several plowing units respectively, each coupling having a vertical pivotal axis about which the corresponding unit can move Vlaterally and a transverse pivotal axis about which the corresponding unit can move vertically, and spacing devices carried solely by the plowing units independently of the frame for normally holding the units at fixed transverse distances from each other, the said plowing units as they move vertically serving to hold the spacing devices against transverse angular movement tending to decrease their effective widths.

3. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally with respect to the frame and for movement vertically in fixed relationship to a transverse axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, and spacing devices carried solely by the plowing units independently of the frame for normally limiting the approach of any beam to the next and adapted to permit its lateral separation therefrom.

i 4. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally about a vertical axis and for movement vertically in fixed relationship to an axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, and spacing devices each carried by one of the plowing units and normally engaging the next adjacent unit but free to move away therefrom.

5. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally with respect to the frame and for movement vertically in fixed relationship to a transverse axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, spacing devices carried solely by the plowing units independently of the frame for normally holding the units at fixed `transverse distances from each other,L

the said plowing units as they move vertically serving to hold the spacing devices against transverse angular movement tending to decrease their effective widths, and means for permitting individual adjustment of the several plowing units angularly about longitudinal axes and adapted to lock them after adjustment against such angular movement.

6. The combination in a gang plow, of main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally to permit adjustment and for movement vertically in xed relationship to an axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, means normally operative for maintaining the several plowing units at equal transverse distances from each other and for preventing relative lateral movements, and means independent of the last .said means for permitting individual adjustments of the several plowing units angularly about longitudinal axes and for locking them after adjustment against such angular movement.

7. The combination in a gang plow, of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units each connected to the draft frame for movement laterally to permit adjustment and for movement vertically in fixed relationship to an axis normally fixed in relation to the ground, means for adjusting the said axis vertically with respect to the ground surface, means normally operative for maintaining the several plowing units at equal transverse distances from each other and for preventing relative lateral movements, and means independent of the last said means for permitting individual adjustment of the several plowing units angularly about longitudinal axes and for locking them after adjustment against such angular movement.

8. In a gang plow, the combination of a main draft frame, a series of plowing'units trailing behind the draft frame, a series of couplings between the draft frame and the respective units, each comprising a link horizontally pivoted at its rear end to the unit and having at its front end a connection to the frame permitting lateral and vertical swinging and preventing turning about a longitudinal axis, and a series of ground engaging wheels, each connected to the front end of one unit and serving to carry the said front end in fixed relation to the ground surface.

9. In a gang plow, the combination of a main draft frame, a series of plowing units trailing behind the draft frame, a series of couplings between the draft vframe and the respective units7 each comprising a link horizontally pivoted at its rear end to the unit and having at its front end a connection to the frame permitting lateral and vertical swinging and preventing turning about a longitudinal axis, and a series of ground engaging Wheels, each manually vertically adjustaloly Connected tothe front end of one unit and serving to carry the said front end in iiXed but manually adjustable relation to 10 the ground surface.

In testimony whereof, I afIiX my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM N. SPRINGER.

Witnesses:

JAMES A. JUDIE, GEORGE BEYLER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

